Suspension clamp



Dec. 2, 1 930. MILLER 1,783,543

susramsxon CLAMP Filed Nov. 7, 1927 :s Sheets-Sheet 1 32 L F! .2. y w 5 30 3/ 33 l6 1 W i. M 28 I 0' I [\ZF INVENTOR Frederic H. Miller ATT'ORNEY Dec. 2, 1930. F. H. MILLER SUSPENSION CLAMP Filed Nov. '7, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Frederic H. Miller Dec. 2, 1930. MILLER 1,783,543

SUSPENSION CLAMP Filed Nov. 7, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Frederic H.M-iHer A'TTORNEY Patented Dec. 2, 1930 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE FREDERIC llIILLER, F WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC 3; MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA SUSPENSION CLAMP Application filed November 7, 1927. Serial No. 231,525.

Another object of my invention is to provide a clamp in which the clamping forces shall be'more advantageously directed and distributed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a clamp in which certain parts shall be better protected and preserved for operation during long periods of service than in clamps of otherwise somewhat similar character.

A further object of any invention is to pro- :0 vide a clamp that shall be durable in construction, economical to manufacture and eifectivein its operation.

Heretofore, clamps for supporting highvoltage transmission line conductors have been proposed, that, in lieu of the usual J- bolts, U-bolts, and other positive clamping means, have employed ylelding clamplng means, such as springs or equ1valent elements. Clamps of the latter type have also usually includedthe feature of automatically releasing the conductor under predetermined abnormal conditions of the lines, such as breaking of the conductor, and consequent movement of the conductor support from its normal position.

My invention-relates, generally, to clamps of the latter type, whether the conductor is permanently held, whether it is released and the releasing operation effected by the mere 49 adjustment of the clamping forces, or whether the conductor is released by amore positive release of the clamping members, such as may be obtained by the use of cam members or other means, but I have. illustrated the i invention as of the cam or more POSllJlVG releasing type, its application to clampshwitlr out such a cambemg readlly apparent, as will hereinafterappear.

The above mentioned so-called spring or 59 slip clamps, as heretofore proposed, have formation extending along the conductor 0 been of comparatively complicated form and construction, including a plurality of springs, by which uniform and effective pres sure, although desired, has not been readily obtainable. Their design has been such that they have been freely exposed to weather effects and have had other disadvantages, such as diflicult manipulation and expensive manufacture.

Accordingly, in practicing my invention, I provide a clamp in which the forces are so distributed, directed and equalized, and in which the resilient means for obtaining the clamping forces is so protected and in which other features of advantage are so incorporated as to obtain a clamp of materially simplified structure and improved characteristics.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a side view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of a clamp constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the clamp shown in Fig. 1, taken along the line IIII of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modi-- lied form of my invention, Fig. l is a view taken along the line IVIV ofFig. 3, Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 3 o a further modified form of my invention, and Fig. i 6 is a view taken along the line VI VI of Fig. 5. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the device comprises, in general, a lower conductorreceiving or channeled clamping member 2 for receiving a conductor 3, an upper cooperating clamping or shoe 1118111b14:, and a supporting or suspension element 5. V The channel member 2 comprises a main body portion 7 of substantially half tubularhaving flared end portions 8, a depending central portion 9, longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs 10, and upwardly extending side lugs 12, p i r The cooperating clamping member or shoe 4 comprises a substantially half tubular main body portion 14, flared end portions 15, an upper central cam portion 16, and side portions 17 ot inverted substantially cup shape, positioned over the lugs 12 of the lower member 2.

The suspension element is in the form of a yoke having an upper socket or other attaching portion 19 of usual form for attachment to the lower end of a suspension insulator, depending side legs 20, and a central portion 2; of inverted substantially cup-shape dej iending "from the portion 19 between the legs 20.

The side legs 20, disposed on opposite sides of the clamping members 2 and are pivotally connected to the latter'by means'of trunnions 21tdisposed in substantial alinement along an axis extending through the axis of the conductor 3. The trunnions 2st are connccted to the channel member 2 through the medium of depending links having lower apertures therein for the reception of a bolt 26 that extends therethrough and through an aperture in the depending portion 9. Lugs 2? on the depending portion 9 prevent turning of the links 25 about the axis of the bolt 26. The belt may be held in position, as by a cotter pin 28.

A piston-like plunger member 30 is freelymovably disposed in the portion 22 and carries a pressure member or roller 31 at its underside for cooperation with the cam 16 on the clamping shoe 4-. A spring 32, preterably of the helical type, is disposed in the portion 22 between the plunger member 30 and the upper end of the suspension element, Lower end portions 34 of the cup 32 may be peened inwardly, after the placing of the spring 32 and other parts in the cup, or other suitable means provided to prevent the displacement of the spring and parts from the cup when the suspension element or yoke 5 is separated from the remainder of the clamp structure.

The upper surface of the cam 16, as viewed in Fig. 1, is of: arcuate form struck about the axis of the trunnions 24; for about 3 degrees, or any other predetermined distance, from either side of the central line of tl Y )liQ The surface 33 preferably merges gradually into the adjacent upper s rtace of the shoe member 4 which is appreciably below the surface 3;

In mounting the structure relative to the conductor 3, the clamping members 2 and 1, the bolt 26 and the yoke 5, with the trunnions 2st and the links 25 thereon, are diassembled. The clamping members 2 and st are placed about the conductors in the position shown and approached toward the yoke 5, while the latter is disposed at an angle with respect to the links 25 and to its central position shown in Fig. 1. In this position, the spring 32 is extended and the pressure member 31 disposed at one side of the cam portion 16, so that no appreciable opposition is exerted by the spring to the assembly of the parts.

After placing the bolt 26 in position, the clamping operation may be efifected by moving the yoke 19 to the position shown in Fig. 1, during which operation the pressure member 31 rides up to the surface 33 to compress the spring 32 and to thereby exert clamping forces between the clan'iping members 2 and a, through the yoke 5, the trunnions 2a, the links 25 and the bolt 26.

Under normal ope 'ating conditions, ordinary line oscillations are taken care of or compensated for by the tact that the pressure member or roller 31 rides along the surface 33. Since this surface is struck about the center of the trunnions 24, there is no releasing efiect of the clamping forces under normal operating conditions.

However, when, from breaking of the conductor or other cause, the clamp and the insulator string to which it is attached are pulled to one side of the upper supporting end of the insulator, angular movement of the yoke 5 relative to the clamping members 2 and l may be more than degrees, or other predetermined angle defining the extent of the surface 33. In this event, the pressure member 31 rides oil the surface 33 to rel mse the spring 32 and, consequently, to release the clamping forces between the clamping members 2 and 4. This action permits the conductor 3 to slip through the clamp.

lVhen the line has been repaired, the conductor may be again clamped between the members 2 and 4-, as above described.

The inter-fitting relation of the lugs 12 on the channel member 2 With the caps 17 on the shoe member 1, prevents the longitudinal withdrawal of the shoe member 4: from the clamp.

In Figs. 3, 1, 5 and 6, correspmiding parts are designated by corresponding reference characters.

Referring to Figs. 3 and l, the channel member 2, instead of being of halt tubular formation as above described, has its side 'alls 35 extending upwardly to a greater extent than in the forms shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and in the place of the cup members 17 has longitudinal recesses 36 for cooperation with lugs 37 on the shoe member 4.

The shoe member 4, instead of embodying the cam portion 16, as in the design in Fig. 1, is provided with a central cup portion 39 in which the helical spring 32 is disposed and covered by a cap member 10 in telescopic relation to the cup 39.

A cam member 4L2 is supported by a pin or shaft 43 between upwardly extending portions 44 of the side walls 35.

The cam 42 is provided with a cam portion 46, for engagement with the upper surface of the cap member 40, and upper diverging arms or lugs 4:7 disposed at opposite sides of a lug 48 depending from the att: clung portion 19.

In this form of my invention, the clamping forces are transmitt d between the clamping members 2 and 4 through the spring 32, the

cap 40, the cam42, the shaft 43 and the pro 31 of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In the forms shown in Figs. 3 and 4, during normal line oscillations, the lug 48 on the yoke oscillates freely back and forth between the lugs 47 on the cam member 42, and,

when the line breaks, angular movement of the clamping members with respect to the yolre causes the lug 48 to engage one of the lugs 47 to move the cam 42 about the axis of the shaft 43. This action causes the cam portion 46 to release the cap member 40, and, consequently, to release the spring 32, and the clamping shoe 4 and the conductor 3, as described above.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the structure is more nearly similar to the device illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, except that the spring 32 is encased in a dome portion 50 on the upper clamping member 4. A pressure or plunger member 51 is disposed in the dome portion 50 and is seated on a helical spring 32 which forces the upper part of the plunger into an opening in the center of the top of the dome portion.

A member 54 constituting a section of the clamping portion of the shoe 4, is removably attached to the shoe 4 by means of screws 55 that extend into lugs or bosses 56 constituting portions of the dome portion 50. This con struction permits the spring 32 and the member 51 to be placed in the'domeportion 50 from below, the member'51 having a flange 57 of greater lateral extent than the opening in the top of the dome portion 50 through which it extends.

In the normal clamping position of the parts, the upper or outer surfaces of the dome portion. 50 and the pressure button member 51 preferably constitute substantial continuations of each other along a single are drawn about the center of the trunnions 24, in which position the spring 32 is compressed to clamp the clamping members 2 and 4 together by the roller 52.

Under normal line oscillations, the roller 52 oscillates back and forth over the upper surface of the plunger 51, so that the clamping pressure is not affected. However, when the roller 52 rolls to either side beyond the plunger member 51 as viewed in Fig. 5, the spring 32 is released to relleve the pressure he tween the clamping members and the conductor, as above set forth. 7

In the released condition of the parts, the

plunger member 51 projects above the dome pmember and means for exerting clamping longitudinal axis portion 50 a limited distance. In this position, curved portions 58 of the member 51 permit the roller 52 to ride up on the member 51 to depress the latter and to again clamp the conductor when the yoke is moved to its central position illustrated.

While I have shown and described particular forms of my invention, changes may be effected therein witho lt de )artin from the b spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A conductor clamp comprising a supporting element, relatively movable conductor clamping members supported thereby and means including a single helical spring only for transmitting all of the clamping forces between said clamping members and responsive to predetermined movement of the conductor for releasing the spring to release the conductor.

2. A conductor clamp comprising a suptor clamping members supported thereby,

-means including a spring for transmitting cla'mpmg forces between said clamping memmember pivotally connected thereto, a sec-- 0nd clamping member movably mounted between the first clamping member and said SUSPGIlSlOIL element, a clamping pressure member for cooperation with said second clamping member and a spring between said pressure member and said suspension element for actuating the pressure member.

4. A conductor clamp comprising a supporting element, relatively movable conductor clamping members supported thereby and means for transmitting clamping forces between said clamping members and responsive to predetermined movement of the conductor for releasing the same including pressure means and substantially telescopicallyrelated elements enclosing said pressure means. 7

5. A conductor clamp comprising a supporting element, relatively movable conductor clamping members supported thereby and means including a helical spring havingits directed substantially through the position of the longitudinal axis of the conductor in the clamp for transmitting clamping forces between said clai'nping members and responsive, to predetermined movement of the conductor for releasing the spring to release the conductor.

6. A transmission-line clamp. comprising a conductor-clamping member, a yoke having its legs pivotally connected thereto at 0pposite sides thereof, a cooperating clamping i porting element, relatively movable conducforces between the clamping members includ ing a helical spring having its longitudinal central axis normally disposed substantially in alignment with the longitudinal central of the yoke.

7. A trmisniission-line clamp comprising a conductor-claniping member, a yoke having its legs pivotally connected thereto at opposite sides thereof, a cooperating clamping member and means for exerting clamping forces between the clamping members including a spring and encasing means there for. y

S. A transmission-line clamp comprising a eonductor-elamping member, a yoke having its legs pivotally connected thereto at opposite sides thereof, a cooperating clamping member and means for exerting clamping forces between the clamping members including a spring and substantially telescopically related elements constituting enclosure means therefor.

5). A transmission-line clamp comprising a condoctor-clamping member, a yoke having its legs pivotally connected thereto at opposite sides thereof, a cooperating clamping member and means for exerting clamping forces between the clamping members including a spring between said co-operating clamping member and the yoke for transmitting the clamping forces between said cooperating clamping member and the yoke.

10. A transmission-line clamp comprising a conductor-clamping member, a yoke having a portion constituting a. casing and free end portions pivotally connected to said clamping member, a cooperating clamping member and means for exerting clamping forces between the clamping members including a spring having a portion disposed in said casing.

1 l. A suspension clamp comprising a lower conductor-recciving member, a yoke thereabovc having its lower free ends pivotally connected. thereto at opposite sides thereof for movement about an axis extending substantially through the longitudinal axis of the conductor, said yoke also having an upper attaching portion for mounting the clamp and a portion of inverted substantially cupshape below said attaching portion between said legs, a clamping member above said conduetor-reeeiving member having an upper ram portion, a pressure member for cooperation with said cam portion and a spring disposed in said portion of cup-shape and cooperating between the yoke and said pressure member for exerting clamping forces on the conductor.

12. A suspension clamp comprising a lower conductor-receiving member, ayoke thereabove having its lower free ends pivotally connected thereto at opposite sides thereof, said yoke also having an upper portion for mounting the clamp and a spring-positioning element below said upper portion between its legs, a clamping member above said conductor-receiving member, a spring-pressure ele ment above said clamping member and a spring cooperating between said elements for exerting clamping forces on the conductor.

13. A conductor clamp comprising an elongated coiiductor-receiving channel member, a yoke projecting laterally thereto and having its free ends embracing, and pivotally connected to, the sides of said member, said yoke also having its closed outer end provided with means for mounting the clamp and a spring-positioning element between its legs adjacent to said means,a clamping member between said channel member and said element, a spring-pressure element adjacent to the outside of said clamping member and a spring cooperating between said elements.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 28th day of October,

FREDERIC H. MILLER.

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